Tony

Cruz

And, thus, Cruz’s major league career has come to an end. The 32-year-old batted just .216/.256/.308 over parts of seven big league seasons, with the bulk of his service time coming with the Cards.

Tony Cruz will start behind the plate against the Reds. Molina is simply getting a routine day of rest.

Cruz was filling in behind the plate for Yadier Molina, who suffered a bruised left hand in the ninth inning Tuesday. The 25-year-old backup is batting just .143 with a .333 OPS in 21 plate appearances this season, but he barely plays so it’s not a major concern right now for St. Louis.

Molina was pulled in the ninth inning of Tuesday’s 6-1 victory over the Diamondbacks after taking a Mitchell Boggs pitch off his left hand. But he was able to flex all of his fingers while being attended to by a team trainer and might not miss more than a game. Look for him to sit out Wednesday before a scheduled team off-day Thursday. Tony Cruz will presumably fill in.

Molina suffered a bruised left hand in the ninth inning Tuesday when he got crossed up with reliever Mitchell Boggs. He should avoid the disabled list but may be sidelined for a couple consecutive games as the swelling dissipates. Tony Cruz is starting behind the plate on Wednesday night against the Diamondbacks with the Cardinals looking for a three-game sweep.

It’s just a routine day off for Molina, who started 22 of the Cards’ first 24 games. Tony Cruz is catching as the Redbirds try for a three-game sweep of the Pirates.

Not a surprise now that Gerald Laird has signed with the Tigers. The 25-year-old Cruz will likely be viewed as the favorite, as he impressed filling in for Laird this season and has decent pop to go along with a strong arm behind the plate.

Molina suffered the injury on an awkward slide into first base on Wednesday night. He’s scheduled to undergo X-rays in St. Louis on Friday, after which more should be known about his status moving forward. Tony Cruz will start behind the dish Thursday.

He’s just getting the day off with the early start time. Tony Cruz will be behind the plate Wednesday.

Molina suffered upper back, shoulder and neck strains in a scary home plate collision with Pirates infielder Josh Harrison on Tuesday night. He’s still dealing with some soreness in his neck, but passed another round of concussion tests on Wednesday. The Cardinals have recalled Bryan Anderson from Triple-A Memphis to provide some insurance behind the plate.